Tampa Italian with a respectable Italian-focused list
Tampa · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Updated September 2026
Reviewed February 21, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Cipresso’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Cipresso keeps it straightforward with an Italian-leaning wine list that won't blow your mind but won't disappoint either. The selection plays it safe with familiar regions and recognizable names, which makes sense for a Tampa neighborhood spot where most guests just want a reliable Chianti with their pasta.
The list leans heavily on Italian classics—Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto—with predictable picks from Antinori, Banfi, and similar well-distributed producers. You'll find a few California crowd-pleasers (Kendall-Jackson, La Crema) and maybe a token French section with Bordeaux generics. The selection doesn't dig deep into lesser-known Italian regions like Campania or Sicily, which is a missed opportunity given the cuisine. Pricing sits in the $40-75 range for most bottles, with a couple splurge options pushing $100.
The glass program runs about 8-10 options, rotating through safe bets like Pinot Grigio, Chianti, and Prosecco. Expect standard 6-ounce pours at $10-14, nothing offensive but nothing exciting. They likely swap wines seasonally rather than weekly, so if you visit in December and again in March, you might see the same lineup.
Carpineto Chianti Classico — $48
Classic Tuscan that drinks above its price point, with enough structure for braised meats and enough fruit to please the table
Tenuta Sant'Antonio Valpolicella Superiore
Most people skip Valpolicella for Amarone, but this shows what the region does with restraint—cherry, spice, and excellent food-pairing versatility
Ruffino Chianti
Marked up to $38 when you can find it at Total Wine for $12—there are better Tuscan options on this list for the price
Pasqua 11 Minutes Rosso + Osso Buco
This medium-bodied Venetian red has enough earthiness to complement the marrow-rich veal without overwhelming the delicate saffron risotto
The Bottom Line
Cipresso delivers exactly what you'd expect from a neighborhood Italian spot—a serviceable wine list that won't challenge you but won't embarrass you either. Come for the pasta, stay for a reliable glass of Sangiovese, and don't overthink it.
Water Street · Tampa · Seafood, Steakhouse
Driftlight is doing something real here — a dedicated sommelier, a properly sized list, and a Wine Spectator credential earned in its first year of eligibility. Pricing will run hotel-restaurant steep, but if you're eating on Tampa's Water Street and want a bottle that was actually chosen by someone who cares, this is your best bet in the neighborhood.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
· Tampa · Steakhouse
Bern's is a legend for a reason, and even this sparkling-focused slice of its list shows a house that genuinely cares about what's in the glass. The grower Champagne presence alone makes it worth a visit — just steer clear of the Korbel section and spend a few extra dollars where it counts.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Proper
Tampa · Tampa · American
The Rez Grill isn't trying to be a wine destination, but it's doing the casino steakhouse thing better than it has any obligation to — a real sommelier, a Thursday half-price night, and a list that knows its lane. Come for the ribeye, order the Jordan, and leave before you hit the slots.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Occasional
Proper
SoHo · Tampa · American, Seasonal
Élevage is the kind of place that does California wine correctly without doing anything unexpected with it — the list is dependable, the setting earns it, and the Wine Spectator nod is deserved. Send a friend here if they love Napa Cab and a good steak; redirect the wine geeks to somewhere with more range.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Shore · Tampa · American, Steakhouse
Union delivers a reliable, California-heavy wine list that makes sense for a buzzy Tampa steakhouse with rooftop ambitions — just don't come looking for surprises. Send a client here; take a wine-curious friend somewhere else.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Tampa · Tampa · Seafood, Floridian
Ulele is a great restaurant that happens to have a competent wine list — not a wine destination that happens to serve great food. If you're in town for the waterfront, the smoked mullet dip, and a solid glass of California Chardonnay, you'll leave happy; just don't expect the list to keep up with the ambition of the kitchen. Wednesday's half-price wine night is genuinely worth planning around.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Proper
SoHo · New York · Italian
A long bottle list with Italian, Burgundy and Champagne sections, fronted by a 22-wine glass page. For a glass, try the Skerk Orange Wine from Friuli at 25/95, and for a bottle on a lighter budget, the Volpaia Vermentino at 60; upstairs in the café, the labeled list pours Palistorti di Valgiano's orange Tuscan blend at Glass $22. Confirm prices before you order, because the site's Upstairs Café dinner menu and the beverage PDF do not match. This unrated guide covers the posted wine lists, not service, storage or markups.
Locust Point · Baltimore · Italian
An Italian list that leads with Campania, then works region by region through the rest of Italy. Start with the La Passera Greco di Tufo at 50 for white or the Terredora Aglianico at 48 for red, and if you want Chianti, the Banfi Riserva is 45. Prices come from the wine list linked as "Wine List 24" and post no unit, so confirm what is available. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
· Naperville · Italian
Piccolo Buco is a Cooper's Hawk restaurant wearing Italian clothes, and the wine list makes no attempt to hide that. If you're already a Cooper's Hawk member and enjoy their wines, this is a comfortable, predictable experience with fair glass pricing and decent variety within the brand. If you came hoping for a Sicilian white or a Piedmontese red to go with your pasta, you're in the wrong place — order a cocktail.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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